Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when purchasing a new sleeping pad. For backpacking, it is recommended to stick to inflatable or self-inflation pads (although generally heavy). This provides the perfect insulation and cushioning for your size and weight. Whatever you specifically need, your goal is always to find the best warmth and weight ratio. The more warmth you get, the more weight you gain. Keep these tips in mind.
I know what it was intended to use. All ounces are counted, and packed sizes are also counted. The small, light pads make them ideal for thru-hiking, where you’re trying to minimize gear sizes to create room for food, with less space inside the pack. Also, take into consideration the climate. If you plan to camp in Michigan in the fall, when cold weather is almost guaranteed, you’ll need far more insulated pads to protect you from cold ground than camping at the Everglades in August. Bonus Tip: Don’t camp at the Everglades in August.
I know myself. It would be better if everyone sleeps differently and the different pads were different. Are you a cold-sleeping side sleeper? Go to thicker pads with more insulation. Which do you sleep and always wake up in the hot weather? Get quiet, ultra-light pads and your throws and sways won’t interfere with your tent companions.
Consider your entire sleep system. The pads are the foundation, but how warm you sleep is affected by the sleeping bag, pillow. (Many people don’t know this, but the temperature rating of a sleeping bag assumes you’re wearing the base layer.)
You may need two. Sleeping pads are not a versatile solution. Perfect lightweight padding for a refreshing summer night, I’m not going to cut it at Alpine Camp in early spring. Getting a summer pad and having a heavy sleeping bag in the spring might be appealing, but this won’t lead to a peaceful night. A good sleeping pad means the difference between staying warm and resting or shaking all night, even in the same sleeping bag. Trust us. We do it because you don’t need to.
Comfort is important. I know I’m kidding about sleeping on a small closed cell foam pad, but I don’t need it anymore. This guide is proof that there is a comfortable sleeping pad and nothing adjacent. I really slept on the ground 35 years ago, but you couldn’t pay me to do it now. Now I almost always bring two pads. One is inflatable and one thin closed cell foam. The latter gives me a place to sit in the evening, adding quite a bit of warmth and slip-free sleeping surface when needed at night.
